This is a great question but a tough one to answer because the most accurate answer is: “It depends”.

Unfortunately, there is no required time for an adjuster to make any sort of a settlement offer. In fact, it is very common for adjusters to tell people that they will get “right back to you as soon as we get your records” and then they keep stringing you along by saying “we need one more thing before we can make you an offer”. This process can go on for a LONG time before an adjuster finally tells you “now that we have looked at everything, we don’t intend to make ANY offer (or we will offer you 10% of your case is worth)”.

This is a strategy that insurance companies regularly use for two reasons:
1. DELAY SO IMPORTANT EVIDENCE EVAPORATES — The insurance adjuster wants you to think they are going to treat you fairly without the need to hire a lawyer so that time will go by and important evidence in your case (like witnesses or photos) will be difficult or impossible to locate or preserve.
2. WEAR YOU DOWN– Adjusters want to wear you down so you just get so frustrated that you are willing to accept much less than your case is worth.

Because this is a known “game” where the adjusters know how to “play the game” and you don’t, it is important that you have an experienced accident lawyer ON YOUR SIDE who knows how to beat the adjusters at their own game.….

Thanks for your great question, Jim
_________________________________
James B. Reed
NY & PA Injury & Malpractice Lawyer
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com
Office: (607)733‑8866
Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943‑3529)
Web: www.zifflaw.com
Blogs: NYInjuryLawBlog.com and
NYBikeAccidentBlog.com